TIME HAD STOOD still. Hearing those words coming out of Anna's mouth completely stunned me. She knows that Sebastian and I were in a fake relationship.

"How did you know?" I asked her quietly, not wanting to disturb the silence that was surrounding us.

"Mon cher (my dear), I may not be around much due to my controlling husband, but I know my children. When Sebastian first told me that you and him were in a romantic relationship, I didn't believe him. Ce garçon ne peut pas mentir pour sauver sa vie (that boy cannot lie to save his life). But, when you walked into our apartment for that god awful dinner, I saw something different in his eyes. A brighter kind of blue that only seems to light up when he's around you,"

We were both sat on the small park bench, taking in the beauty surrounding us as I listened to Anna.

"I don't want mon bébé garçon (my baby boy) going off to London to some fancy boarding school where he will end up becoming as stuck up as his grandfather. What Robert and I have isn't love, it isn't a healthy relationship. He's a very controlling and powerful man, ma chère fille (my dear girl), and he's capable of doing bad things. Robert came from a very wealthy family in London, the Kingsley name was a very well known family. I on the other hand, was unfortunate to come from a very poor family in Paris. There were times where my family and I would be living on the street's for weeks at a time before we found some form of shelter. My father was desperate for me live a long and happy life. So that is when he got into contact with a very old friend of his, Devon Kingsley. They somehow struck up a deal, that if Devon could promise him a healthy and happy life with his son Robert, then my father will work for his company for as long as he deems fitting. I was forced into an arranged marriage, although neither of my parents wanted me to go through with it, but they made me understand that it was for the greater good,"

I was completely stunned by this ground breaking news. I new that Robert and Anna weren't in a happy marriage, but I never knew that it was down to this reason.

"We got married at eighteen, without a single spark of love between either of us. What I didn't know was part of the deal, was to produce heirs. So, on our wedding night, we had sex. We did not make love, because there has never or will never be love between us. I was soon pregnant with mon doux garçon (my sweet boy) James. Soon after, my family was completed with my next two children, Sebastian and Sofia," as she began talking about her children, a soft smile was displayed on her slightly cracked lips.

"I thought that I would never find love until I looked into the eyes of my beautiful children. I have decided to make the bold decision to leave my husband. As a parent, I should take charge and not let him emotionally abuse our children. I have already told him, and he did not take it lightly. At first he was angry and upset that I was taking his children away from him, but then he admitted that he had never loved any of us, it was all for show," a single tear slipped down her pink cheek, making my own eyes brim with tears at her sudden confession. I took her hand in mine, squeezing it gently to give her the courage to carry on.

"I have a secret that I have been keeping to myself for the past year," I furrowed my eyebrows at her comment, wondering what she had possibly been able to keep to herself and why she would be telling me.

"I have met someone. Someone that I happen to really like. And he said that he would love nothing more than to marry me and act as the father that my children have never had," I immediately pulled Anna into a tight warm embrace, giggling like a little school girl as if her best friend had just had sex for the first time.

"Anna I am so happy and utterly proud of you. Did you say yes?" I asked her with a big smile.

"I told him maybe. I told him that I would love nothing ore than to have him as a loving husband who love love each of my children equally, but I said that I needed to sort some things out first with the Lawyers and talk to the kids," I nodded in understanding, giving her a small side hug.

"I am really happy for you Anna, but why did you tell me this?" I asked her in complete and utter confusion.

"Because I now know what true love feels like, and ma belle fille (my beautiful girl), I can spot it from a mile away. The way that boy looks at you, is the way that Carlos looks at me. And mon dieu (my god)! The way you look at him, he must be seriously stupid if he hasn't noticed that you love him yet!" She giggles at the look of disbelief on my face as she takes both of my hands in hers.

"Tell him, Alexandra. Because, if you don't, you will regret it for the rest of your life. And who knows, this could be the best decision that you ever make! And if it doesn't go the way you planned, then you can come to me and cry over how upset you are, and I will help you get back up again because you, my darling girl, are the strongest woman I have ever met!" Anna said with so much passion that she actually had tears in her eyes.

Maybe I should. Maybe I should take a risk once in a while.

"You know Anna, you're wrong. You are the strongest woman that I have ever met," I told her with a big hug, kissing her cheek in thanks. We broke away and her hand cupped my cheek, her eyes rimmed red from unshed tears, her thumb stroking my cheek.

"Oh mon Dieu, il va être si heureux avec toi (oh my, he's going to be so happy with you)," she whispers in astonishment, her wide eyes looking into mine.

I chuckled softly at her words, not completely understanding what she said, but smiling nevertheless.

"How about we go back to the guest house so you can show that boy that you're alive and breathing because he has been ringing and texting you relentlessly!" She chuckled airily. I glanced down at my phones seeing that I have numerous messages and missed calls from Sebastian.

Sebby

Lexi baby, I know that you're angry at me but please let me know that you're okay

Sebby

i'm sorry

Sebby

i didn'r mean to shout at you, just let me know you aren't hurt

Sebby

i miss you baby

With a long sigh, and a small smile, I decided that it would be best to go back to the guest house.

•••

I walked through the front door of the guest house; silence welcoming us. Anna mentioned that she would be staying at her parents house tonight and wished me look for my declaration of love I was about to make.

I walked further into the house and towards the living room, only to stop my movement at the sight of a hunched over figure sitting on the sofa, their head buried deep into their hands.

"Sebastian?" I whispered anxiously into the silent room. Like and instant reflex to hearing my voice, his head shot up out of his hands and began running towards me.

"Baby?" I shivered in response to his nickname; loving it. I nodded in response and gave him a gentle smile.

"I'm sorry. I do trust you Sebastian, so fucking much. And I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about Jackson because I'm scared of your reaction; scared of what you'll do when you find out what happens. But now I know! I know that whatever reaction you have is because you care for me; and for that I am forever grateful. I'm ready to tell you what happened that night because I love you Sebastian Kingsley. I am so madly in love with you. You don't have to say it back just out of pity; but before you say anything, can we just sit down and and I'll tell you what happened with Jackson?" I finished off my declaration with a small sigh. Tears were in the verge of falling from my eyes out of nervousness and love.

I walked passed a stunned Sebastian, who stood there, looking quite frankly like a fucking lemon, and sat down on the sofa waiting for him to join me.

lmfao a cliffhanger! How cruel am I??

She finally said I LUV U!!!

How do we all feel about this chapter? Quite some heavy important information that has hopefully filled some missing pieces.

Let me know what you guys think!

Status: unedited

Don't forget to vote and comment❤️

- Addy :)